Top 10 fantasy football dynasty running backs heading into 2023
. . Austin Ekeler. 7. player. 13.
In what could be his final year in Los Angeles, Austin Ekeler is looking to get a contract that actually matches his value on the field. One of the best pass-catching backs in the NFL, and he deserves that he should be paid more like it.
We saw how well that went for Leveon Bell when he demanded both running back and wide receiver money and got paid by the New York Jets, just to fall off. I would not think that Ekeler will follow the same trend.
Teams are more aware of what a running back is worth now. After a few failed contracts (Bell and Elliott to name a few), they’re not looking to put out a ton of investment in them when they get hit more.
With all of that, Ekeler still is one of the best running backs in the league. Last year, he finished as RB1 in PPR leagues and RB4 in standard. The year before he was RB2 in both formats. That’s very high value for a running back with nothing to prove.
This year, he has more to prove that he should get paid as a top back in the league. If you are In a new start-up and want to win now, look at drafting Austin in the late first or early second round.
. Jahmyr Gibbs. 6. player. 50. .
An interesting selection from the Detroit Lions, Jahmyr Gibbs added to a running back room that included Deandre Swift and newly signed David Montgomery. Many fantasy owners saw this as confusion in a loaded backfield.
Luckily for you, if you have already taken that risk in a rookie draft, you were rewarded with Swift getting traded away to the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, Gibbs is looking to be one of the top picks in rookie drafts for a good reason.
Gibbs entered the NFL draft as the second-best running back coming out of college and he should be considered one of the best in the league when it comes to fantasy value.
The Lions have a high-powered offense and with their leading rusher leaving for New Orleans, that leaves a hole to fill. Jamaal Williams finished as RB7 in standard and RB13 in PPR leagues while Swift finished in the RB20s area in both formats.
Even with Montgomery coming in, he finished near Swift in both formats as well. Gibbs should be the day-one starter for the Lions and increase his fantasy value even more. Currently sitting with an ADP43, he is looking to be selected in the 3rd or 4th round in new start-ups.